Electric motor systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Electric motor systems and methods may provide highly efficient operation. The electric motor systems and methods discussed herein provide an oil filled motor that is low speed and utilizes permanent magnets. The electric motor may utilize a large number of poles and fractional slot design. Further, in some embodiments, the electric motor systems and methods may be suitable for use downhole.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 9,484,784 filed onJan. 7, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/749,475 filed on Jan. 7, 2013, which are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to electric motor systems and methods. Moreparticularly, to electric motors that are capable of operating in adownhole environment.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Electric motors may be utilized downhole for various operations.However, not all electric motors are suitable for downhole environments.In harsh downhole environments, electric motors may be exposed to highpressure, high temperatures, fluids, mud, and other conditions that mayimpact operation of the motor.

One example of motors utilized downhole are electric motors utilized inElectrical submersible pumps (ESPs) for pumping fluids from wells or thelike. ESPs are centrifugal pumps that may be placed into a well to pumpfluids. Due to inherent motor inefficiencies, some ESP motors mayrequire a minimum flow rate or speed of fluid moving past the motorhousing to prevent the motor from overheating. Additionally, the size ofESPs may be increased in order to compensate for motor inefficiencies byadding surface area to dissipate heat, but the resulting size of the ESPmay be cumbersome.

In order to provide an electric motor that is suitable for use indownhole environment, electric motor systems and methods that providelow speed, permanent magnet motors that are sealed and oil filled areproposed. The electric motor systems and methods discussed herein arehighly efficient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, an electric motor system and method provide apermanent magnet motor. In some embodiments, the motor may be a 12 poleand 39 slot motor with 13 coils per phase. In some embodiments, themotor may be an 8 pole and 27 slot motor with 9 coils per phase. Thewindings may be positioned on the stator of the motor. In someembodiments, the rotor may provide 12 magnets disposed on the outercircumference of the rotor. In some embodiments, the motor may provide asealed lubricant chamber. In some embodiments, the motor may furtherprovide a pressure compensation device that minimizes a pressuredifferential between a lubricant in the lubricant chamber and externalfluids or gases.

In some embodiments, the motor may have a length of approximately 7 feetor less. In some embodiments, the diameter of the motor may beapproximately 3¾ inches. In some embodiments, the electric motor iscapable of providing 50 ft-lb of torque or greater. In some embodiments,the electric motor operates at rpms up to or equal to 3600 rpm. In someembodiments, the motor is suitable for operation at approximately 380 V.In some embodiments, the motor may be suitable for operation atapproximately 10-12 amps.

In yet another embodiment, the electric motor may be suitable fordownhole operations. In some embodiments, the motor may be suitable foruse in a linear pump. In some embodiments, the motor may be suitable foruse at depths equal to or between 2,500 to 15,000 feet. In someembodiments, the motor may be suitable for deviated wells, horizontalwells, or the like.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly various features of thepresent disclosure in order that the detailed description that followsmay be better understood. Additional features and advantages of thedisclosure will be described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptionsto be taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings describingspecific embodiments of the disclosure, wherein:

FIGS. 1A-1B are illustrative embodiments of an electric motor;

FIGS. 2 is an illustrative embodiment of a motor/stator assembly;

FIGS. 3A-3B are illustrative embodiments of a stack of a statorassembly;

FIGS. 4A-4D are illustrative embodiments of a stator assembly;

FIGS. 4E-4G are illustrative embodiments of winding diagramsillustrating the three phases of an electric motor;

FIGS. 5A-5C are illustrative embodiments of a rotor;

FIGS. 6A-6C are illustrative embodiments of a motor head; and

FIGS. 7A-7C are illustrative embodiments of an electric motor attachedto a rotary mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Refer now to the drawings wherein depicted elements are not necessarilyshown to scale and wherein like or similar elements are designated bythe same reference numeral through the several views.

Referring to the drawings in general, it will be understood that theillustrations are for the purpose of describing particularimplementations of the disclosure and are not intended to be limitingthereto. While most of the terms used herein will be recognizable tothose of ordinary skill in the art, it should be understood that whennot explicitly defined, terms should be interpreted as adopting ameaning presently accepted by those of ordinary skill in the art.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only,and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. In thisapplication, the use of the singular includes the plural, the word “a”or “an” means “at least one”, and the use of “or” means “and/or”, unlessspecifically stated otherwise. Furthermore, the use of the term“including”, as well as other forms, such as “includes” and “included”,is not limiting. Also, terms such as “element” or “component” encompassboth elements or components comprising one unit and elements orcomponents that comprise more than one unit unless specifically statedotherwise.

FIGS. 1A-1B are illustrative embodiments of an electric motor 10. Thestator surrounds the rotor and remains stationary. In a permanent magnetmotor, magnets may be housed by the stator. The rotor is disposed withinthe stator and may rotate in response to a magnetic field. The electricmotor 10 may comprise a stator/housing assembly 15, motor head 20, motorbase 25, magnet assembly 30, bearing(s) 35, snap ring(s) 40, cables 45 &60, washer 50, and snap ring 55. Stator/housing assembly 15 may secureand protect internal components of the electric motor 10. Stator/housingassembly 15 may be coupled to a motor head 20 and/or motor base 25,which may also secure and protect portions of electric motor 10. In someembodiments, the outer diameter of stator/housing assembly 15 or thediameter of the electric motor 10 is 3¾ inches. In some embodiments, theouter diameter is 4½ inches or less. In some embodiments, the outerdiameter is equal to or between 3¾ to 4½ inches. In some embodiments,the length of the electric motor 10 (including the reservoir, motor headand base) is 40 feet or less. In some embodiments, the length of theelectric motor 10 (including the reservoir, motor head and base) is 12feet or less. In some embodiments, the length of the electric motor 10(including the reservoir, motor head and base) is 7 feet or less. Insome embodiments, the length of the electric motor 10 (including thereservoir, motor head and base) is 6 feet or less. In some embodiments,the length of the electric motor 10 (including the reservoir, motor headand base) is 2 feet or less. As a nonlimiting example, an electric motormay be approximately 3¾ inches in diameter and approximately 2 feetlong. As another nonlimiting example, an electric motor may beapproximately 4½ inches in diameter and approximately 4 feet long. Motorhead 20 and motor base 25 may provide means that allow electric motor tobe secured to other components, such as, but not limited to, tubulars,pipes, additional motors, pumps, oil reservoirs, or the like. In anon-limiting embodiment, motor base 25 may be coupled to an oilreservoir and motor head 20 may be coupled to a pump. Further, the oilreservoir, pump, and/or motor may form a sealed compartment filled withlubricating oil for the pump and/or motor. In some embodiments, a motorlubricant chamber may be provided and a separate rotary assemblylubricant chamber may be provided. In some embodiments, the motorlubricant chamber and the rotary assembly lubricant chamber may becombined.

Magnet assembly 30 forms the rotor of electric motor 10. Bearings 35 maybe secured in position in motor head 20 or motor base 25 by snap rings40. Portions of the shaft of magnet assembly 30 pass through the centerof bearings 35, snap ring 40, and washer 50. Sensor cable(s) 45 entersthe motor and may provide connections to optional sensor(s) for theelectric motor 10. Snap ring 55 may secure cable 45 and a seal to motorhead 20. As the sensor(s) are optional, in some embodiments, the openingmay be filled with a seal with no sensor cable present or the cutoutregion of the motor head 20 may be omitted. Power cables 60 enter themotor head 20 through an opening 65. While not shown, opening 65 may besealed by a motor connector, a seal assembly such as shown for thesensor cable(s), or the like.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative embodiment of a stator/housing assembly. Insome embodiments, the motor may provide 12 poles, 39 slots, and 13 coilsper phase. In some embodiments, the motor may provide 8 poles, 27 slots,and 9 coils per phase. Motor housing 105 protects stator assembly 110.Stator assembly 110 houses the winding of electric motor 10. In someembodiments, stator assembly 110 may be heat shrunk into motor housing105. For example, heat shrinking of the stator assembly 110 into themotor housing 105 may be performed at 425° F.±25° F. By heat shrinkingstator assembly 110 into the motor housing 105, improved thermalefficiency is provided. As a result of the heat shrinking, surfacecontact between the motor housing 105 and stator assembly 110 isimproved, thereby providing improved heat transfer. Heat shrinking thestator assembly into the motor housing 105 may result in nearly 100%surface contact, whereas other assembly methods result in significantlylower surface contact and less efficient heat transfer. FIG. 3A-3B areillustrative embodiments of a stack 115 of stator assembly 110. Stack115 may be formed from the lamination of several stacks of material thatare shaped to provide a 39 slot configuration. The 39 slots are equallyspaced around the diameter of stack 115. Stack 115 may be made of amaterial that provides beneficial electrical and/or magnetic properties.For example, the stack materials may provide high magnetic permeability,high flux density capability, low eddy current loss, and low hysteresisloss. In a non-limiting example, stack 115 may be formed by bondinglaminated stacks (e.g. silicon steel sheets). Bonding the laminatedstacks results in increased improved thermal efficiency, interlaminarresistance, and decreased eddy current, thereby resulting in increasedefficiency of the electric motor. Slots 120 may be utilized to receiveand house the windings of the electric motor. FIGS. 4A-4D areillustrative embodiments of a stator assembly 110. Leads 135 may becoupled to stator assembly 110. Leads 135 may be motor leads providingcurrent to the windings. In some embodiments, leads 135 may optionallyinclude leads for sensors or the like, such as a resistance temperaturedetector. Slots 120 utilize an open slot design that provides an openingin the slots. Open slot designs eliminate secondary flux paths thatreduce torque generation provided by close slot designs. Slots 120receive the windings of the electric motor. The windings provide a highslot fill, which reduces resistance and provides lower I²R losses. Slotfill refers to the copper area to slot area utilization ratio. Typicalmotor winding slot utilization may be approximately 25-35%. In someembodiments, slots 120 may provide slot fill of greater than 35%. Inother embodiments, slots 120 may provide high slot fill of 50% orgreater. As slots 120 utilize an open slot design, the windings can bewound outside of the slots and placed through the openings in the slotsduring manufacturing. As a result, the windings can more closely conformto the shape of the slots to provide smaller end turns or protrusion ofthe winding from the stack 115. By reducing the end turns of thewindings, end turn resistance is reduced. Slot liners 125 may beprovided within the slots 120 to electrically insulate the windings.Wedge 130 may be provided to secure windings with the slots 120. Anouter diameter (OD) as discussed herein refers to the outer diameter ofthe stator. An inner diameter (ID) as discussed herein refers to theinner diameter of the stator. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, itshould be noted that the OD is 3.364 inches, whereas the ID is 2.366inches. The large ID relative to the OD is beneficial because itfacilitates inserting the coils into the slots over a relatively longstack length. By using a larger ID, more torque may be created by themotor and the motor may be more easily manufactured. In someembodiments, the ratio of the OD to ID is 1.42:1 or less. In otherembodiments, the ratio of the OD to ID approaches a 1:1 relationship.

FIGS. 4E-4G are illustrative embodiments of winding diagramsillustrating the three phases of the electric motor. While the motor isa 12 pole motor, a fractional slot design was utilized to minimize thetorque that needs to be broken to induce rotation. For example, an oddnumber of slots and odd number of coils may be utilized. The fractionalslot design provides less vibration than an integral slot design.Additionally, the 12 poles provide for more torque generation thansimilar motors with fewer poles; however, in some embodiments, fewerpoles may be provided. In a non-limiting embodiment, 39 slots and 13coils per phase may be utilized. The winding diagrams each illustratethe 39 slots provided by the stator assembly and the 13 coils per phase.The winding diagrams illustrate arrangement of the 13 coils for eachphase and the current direction through the coils. In some embodiments,the windings may be 8-10 gauge. While the embodiment shown provides a 12pole, 39 slot, and 13 coils per phase, another embodiment may provide 8poles, 27 slots, and 9 coils per phase. During assembly, the coils maybe wound in the internal diameter of the stator. Once the coils arewound, they may be pushed into the slots through the opening in theslots. This minimizes the end turn or distance that the coils extendfrom the stator, thereby reducing resistance and increasing overallmotor efficiency. In other motors, the coil is fed through the slot,wrapped around and sent back through another slot. By winding the coilsby feeding through the slot, excess coil extending from the slot isincreased, thereby increasing resistance and decreasing overall motorefficiency. FIGS. 5A-5C are illustrative embodiments of a rotor 200.Rotor 200 may provide magnets 205 and 210, a shaft 215, and banding 220.Rotor 200 provides slots 225 for receiving the magnets 205, 210. Magnets205, 210 are arranged around rotor 200 in an alternating north and southmagnetic pole arrangement. In a non-limiting embodiment, 12 samariumcobalt magnets may be arranged around rotor 200. Magnets 205, 210 may besecured to the rotor 200 by any suitable means. In a non-limitingembodiment, magnets 205, 210 may be secured using an adhesive (e.g.Dymax 46733). Additionally, banding 220 may be provided over magnets205, 210 to retain them in position and/or to prevent damage duringoperation. In a non-limiting embodiment, banding 220 may be durablenon-magnetic material, such as a carbon fiber wrap, non-magneticstainless steel, or the like. FIG. 5C is an illustrative embodiment ofthe rotor 200 without the magnets and banding. One or more ends 230 ofthe shaft 215 may be splined and grooved to allow the motor to be easilymated to other devices. For example, shaft 215 may be mated to a linearpump.

FIG. 6A-6C are illustrative embodiments of a motor head 20. In someembodiments, it may be desirable to connect to an electric motor viamotor head 20. Motor head 20 may provide a central opening 250 in whicha portion of the shaft of the motor is housed. One or more diagonalcutouts 255 may be provide on the outer diameter of motor head 20. Ashoulder of the diagonal cutout 255 may provide one or more openings260, 265 through which cabling may pass through to the motor. Opening265 is provided for power cables for the motor. In some embodiments, theopening 265 may be sealed by a seal arrangement or the like. In otherembodiments, the opening 265 may be sealed by a connector or the likefor the power cable that is inserted into opening 265. In someembodiments, the motor head 20 may optionally provide opening 260 whensensors are desired. Sensor cables may pass through opening 260 to allowconnection to optional sensors provided in the motor. As with opening265, the opening 260 may be sealed with a seal assembly, connector, orthe like.

In some embodiments, the continuous loadpoint for an electric motor maybe 32 ft-lb at 1200 rpm (50% duty cycle). In some embodiments, the veryintermittent case loadpoint may be 50 ft-lb at 1200 rpm. In someembodiments, voltage at motor leads is equal to approximately 380 VAC.In some embodiments, the motor may operate at approximately 10-12 ampsunder load. As a nonlimiting example, the motor may operate at 380 voltsand 10.5 amps under load. As a nonlimiting example, the motor mayoperate at approximately 961 volts (with 3:1 step up transformer) andapproximately 24 amps under load. In some embodiments, the electricmotor operates at up to or equal to 3600 rpm. In some embodiments, theelectric motor operates at up to or equal to 1200 rpm. In someembodiments, the electric motor is capable of providing 25 ft-lb oftorque or greater. In some embodiments, the electric motor is capable ofproviding 50 ft-lb of torque or greater. In some embodiments, theelectric motor is capable of providing 75 ft-lb of torque or greater. Insome embodiments, an electric motor may operate with an efficiency of85% or greater. In some embodiments, an electric motor may operate at anefficiency of 90% or greater. In some embodiments, an electric motor mayoperate at an efficiency of 95% or greater. As a nonlimiting example, anelectric motor may operate at 1200 rpm, provide 32 ft-lb of torque orgreater, and/or operate with an efficiency of 90% or greater. As anothernonlimiting example, an electric motor may operate at 3600 rpm, provide73 ft-lb of torque or greater, and/or operate with an efficiency of 95%.

In some embodiments, the electric motor may be suitable for operation atan ambient temperature of 250° F. or less. In some embodiments, theelectric motor 300 is suitable for operation in environments of 400° F.or less. In some embodiments, the electric motor 300 is suitable foroperation in environments of equal to or between 180° F. to 400° F. Insome embodiments, the electric motor 300 is suitable for operation inenvironments of equal to or between 300° F. to 400° F. In someembodiments, the motor may have a minimum motor life 3.5 years. In someembodiments, the motor may weigh 100 lbs or less. In some embodiments,the motor may be oil filled to dissipate heat.

FIG. 7A-7C are illustrative embodiments of an electric motor 300attached to a rotary mechanism 305. Cap 310 is coupled to the motor base315 of electric motor 300. The motor head 320 of electric motor 300 maycoupled to a rotary mechanism 305. A rotary mechanism 305 is a devicethat utilizes a rotating component 325 that is driven by a shaft of theelectric motor 300. Electric motor 300, cap 310, and/or rotary mechanism305 may be filled with oil to provide lubrication and beneficial heattransfer. In some embodiments, separate motor lubricant and rotaryassembly lubricant chambers may be provided. In some embodiments, themotor lubricant chamber and the rotary assembly lubricant chamber may becombined.

For the purposes of illustration, a non-limiting example of a rotarymechanism 305 is discussed herein. In some embodiments, rotary mechanism305 may be a rotating component of a linear pump that converts therotary motion of the electric motor 300 into linear motion. Anon-limiting example of a linear pump is provided in copending U.S.Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 14/044,099 titled “Linear Pump andMotor Systems and Methods” to Henry et al. filed Oct. 2, 2013, which isincorporated herein by reference. The rotary mechanism 305 may include aball screw or rotating component 325 and ball nut 330. Ball screw 325may be coupled to the shaft of the electric motor 300 by a coupling 318.When electric motor 300 causes ball screw 325 to rotate, ball nut 330moves along the ball screw 325 depending on the direction of rotationdue to the interaction of the threads. The movement of the ball nut 330may provide the linear motion desired to provide a pumping action, whichis discussed in further detail in the abovementioned copendingapplication.

The rotary mechanism 305 may prevent mixing of the oil for the rotarymechanism and external fluids or gases with seals provided by a couplingseals 322, pressure compensation piston 335, thereby providing a rotarymechanism lubricant chamber within the rotary mechanism 305 and tubular340. Piston 335 may be a shuttle piston that is movable within thetubular to minimize a pressure differential between oil for the rotarymechanism and external fluids. This prevents or minimizes contaminantsentering the rotary mechanism lubrication chamber.

Electric motor 300 may also provide a motor lubricant chamber separatefrom the rotary mechanism lubricant chamber. In the embodiment shown,the lubrication oil provided within electric motor 300 and cap 310 issealed off from external fluids or gases. Seals provided at a first endby a coupling seal 322 minimize or prevent external fluids from enteringelectric motor 300 from the first end. Further, a second end of theelectric motor 300 provides cap 310 that minimizes or prevents externalfluids from entering the second end. In some embodiments, cap 310 may betubular and may provide a pressure compensation piston 312 to minimize apressure differential between lubricants for the electric motor 300 andexternal fluids. One or more seals may be provided on the pressurecompensation piston 312 to prevent external fluids from enteringelectric motor 300. Cap 310 may provide one or more openings that exposeone end of the pressure compensation piston 312 to external fluids orgases, whereas the opposite end of the piston is exposed to a lubricantfor the motor. The pressure compensation piston 312 may move within cap310 to minimize a pressure differential between the lubricant inelectric motor 300 and external fluids or gases. In some embodiments,the pressure compensation piston 312 may provide an extension thatprevents the piston from advancing past the openings in cap 310 when itcomes in contact with the cap.

In contrast, electric submersible pumps (ESP) may require a particularproduction rate for cooling purposes. Lower production rate wells maymake such ESP unsuitable for use in these wells, such as when theproduction rates are not sufficient to properly cool the ESP. Some ESPsoperate at 3600 rpm and are not suitable for operation at lower rpm.ESPs do not provide the torque capabilities of the electric motorsdiscussed herein, especially at the length and/or diameters of the motordiscussed herein. Further, ESPs have significantly lower efficienciesthan the motor discussed herein.

This sealed lubricating oil allows the electric motor 300 and rotarymechanism 305 of the linear pump to operate in an environment where thetemperatures are 250° F. or less. In some embodiments, the electricmotor 300 is suitable for operation in environments of 400° F. or less.In some embodiments, the electric motor 300 is suitable for operation inenvironments of equal to or between 180° F. to 400° F. In someembodiments, the electric motor 300 is suitable for operation inenvironments of equal to or between 300° F. to 400° F. In someembodiments, the electric motor 300 may be suitable for use in deviatedwells, horizontal wells, or the like. In some embodiments, the electricmotor may be suitable for operation at depths of approximately 10,000feet or greater. In some embodiments, the electric motor may be suitablefor operation at depths of 15,000 feet or less. In some embodiments, theelectric motor may be suitable for operation at depths equal to orbetween 2,500 to 12,500 feet. In some embodiments, the electric motormay be suitable for operation at depths equal to or between 10,000 to15,000 feet. The electric motor 300 may operate at significantly lowerRPMs than ESPs. In some embodiments, the electric motor operates at rpmsup to equal to 3600 rpm. The electric motor 300 provides a beneficialreduction in size and weight. In some embodiments, the electric motor300 may be 7 feet or less in length and/or 4¼ inches in diameter or lessallowing for increase ease in navigating well bores. In someembodiments, the electric motor 300 is also capable of providing 50ft-lb of torque or greater. In some embodiments, an electric motor mayoperate at an efficiency of 85% or greater. In some embodiments, theelectric motor 300 may be 100 lbs or less, which significantly reducesthe amount of weight that must be supported by the production string andeases handling. In comparison, some ESP motors are upwards of 14½ feetlong and 1000 lbs, and cannot provide the same amount of torque from asimilarly sized motor. As a result of the efficiency of the electricmotor 300, it may operate using relatively low amperage and voltage. Insome embodiments, the electric motor 300 may operate on approximately10-12 amps. In some embodiments, the electric motor 300 may operate atapproximately 380V.

As a nonlimiting example, a first exemplary motor may have a diameter ofapproximately 3¾ inches and a length of approximately 2 feet. The firstexemplary motor may be a 12 pole and 39 slot motor with 13 coils perphase. The first exemplary motor may operate at 380 volts and 10.5 ampsunder load. The first exemplary motor may provide an operating torque of32 ft-lb, and an operating horsepower of 7.5. Further, the firstexemplary motor may operate at 1200 rpm and provide efficiencies of 85%or greater. The first exemplary motor is suitable for operation inenvironments of up to 400° F. The first exemplary motor may be suitablefor operation at depths equal to or between 2,500 to 12,500 feet.

As a nonlimiting example, a second exemplary motor may have a diameterof approximately 4½ inches and a length of approximately 4 feet. Thesecond exemplary motor may be an 8 pole and 27 slot motor with 9 coilsper phase. The second exemplary motor may operate at approximately 961volts (with 3:1 step up transformer) and approximately 24 amps underload. The second exemplary motor may provide an operating torque of 73ft-lb, and an operating horsepower of 50. Further, the second exemplarymotor may operate at 3600 rpm and provide efficiencies of 95% orgreater. The second exemplary motor is suitable for operation inenvironments of up to 400° F. The second exemplary motor may be suitablefor operation at depths equal to or between 2,500 to 12,500 feet.

The electric motor systems discussed herein provides a highly efficientmotor as a result of several improvements. Heat shrink fitting of thestator assembly in the motor housing and filling the motor with alubricant improves thermal efficiency. A high ID to OD ratio and higherpole count improves torque generation. High copper fill and smaller endturns allow for reduced winding resistance. The fractional slot designprovides less vibration and easier startup. The open slot designeliminates an undesirable flux path, reduces winding end turns, andimproves ease of manufacturing.

Implementations described herein are included to demonstrate particularaspects of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated by those ofskill in the art that the implementations described herein merelyrepresent exemplary implementation of the disclosure. Those of ordinaryskill in the art should, in light of the present disclosure, appreciatethat many changes can be made in the specific implementations describedand still obtain a like or similar result without departing from thespirit and scope of the present disclosure. From the foregoingdescription, one of ordinary skill in the art can easily ascertain theessential characteristics of this disclosure, and without departing fromthe spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modificationsto adapt the disclosure to various usages and conditions. Theimplementations described hereinabove are meant to be illustrative onlyand should not be taken as limiting of the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electric motor for operation in a well, theelectric motor comprising: a stator providing a plurality of slots; aplurality of windings for the plurality of slots of the stator; a rotorproviding a plurality of permanent magnets arranged around the outercircumference of the rotor; a lubrication chamber containing a lubricantfor the electric motor, wherein the lubrication chamber is sealed,wherein further a length of the electric motor is 5 feet or less and anouter diameter of the electric motor is 4½ inches or less, an OD to IDratio is 1.42 or less, and the OD to ID ratio is a ratio of an outsidediameter of the stator relative to an inside diameter of the stator, andthe electric motor is capable of providing 50 ft-lb of torque orgreater.
 2. The electric motor of claim 1, wherein the electric motorprovides a fractional slot, distributed winding design.
 3. The electricmotor of claim 1, wherein the plurality of slots provide an open slotdesign.
 4. The electric motor of claim 1, wherein a stator assemblycomprising the laminated stack is heat shrunk into a motor housing. 5.The electric motor of claim 1, wherein slot fill is 50% or greater. 6.The electric motor of claim 5, wherein the electric motor provides 27slots, 8 poles, and 9 coils per phase or 39 slots, 12 poles, and 13coils per phase.
 7. The electric motor of claim 6, wherein the electricmotor weighs 100 lbs or less.
 8. The electric motor of claim 1, furthercomprising a banding surrounding the plurality of permanent magnets toretain and protect the plurality of magnets.
 9. The electric motor ofclaim 7, wherein the electric motor is suitable for operation at depthsequal to or between 2,500 to 15,000 feet.
 10. The electric motor ofclaim 9, wherein the electric motor is suitable for operation inenvironment temperatures equal to or between 160 to 400° F.
 11. Anelectric motor comprising: a stator providing a plurality of slots,wherein a stator assembly comprises laminated stacks that are heatshrunk into a motor housing; a plurality of windings for the pluralityof slots of the stator, wherein the plurality of windings provide a slotfill is 50% or greater; a rotor providing a plurality of permanentmagnets arranged around the outer circumference of the rotor; and asealed lubrication chamber for the electric motor, wherein a length ofthe electric motor is 7 feet or less, a diameter of the electric motoris equal to or between 3¾ to 4½ inches, the electric motor provides 27slots, 8 poles, and 9 coils per phase or 39 slots, 12 poles, and 13coils per phase, the electric motor weighs 100 lbs or less, the electricmotor is suitable for operation in environment temperatures equal to orbetween 160 to 400° F. and depths equal to or between 2,500 to 15,000feet, and the electric motor is capable of providing 50 ft-lb of torqueor greater.
 12. The electric motor of claim 11, wherein an OD to IDratio is 1.42 or less, and the OD to ID ratio is a ratio of an outsidediameter of the stator relative to an inside diameter of the stator. 13.The electric motor of claim 11, wherein the motor operates at 380 voltsand 10-12 amps under load, and operates with an efficiency of 85% orgreater.
 14. The electric motor of claim 11, wherein the length of theelectric motor is 5 feet or less.
 15. An electric motor for operating ina well, the electric motor comprising: a stator providing a plurality ofslots, wherein the stator provides an OD to ID ratio of 1.42 or less,and the OD to ID ratio is a ratio of an outside diameter of the statorrelative to an inside diameter of the stator; a plurality of windingsfor the plurality of slots of the stator; a rotor providing a pluralityof permanent magnets arranged around the outer circumference of therotor; and a lubrication chamber for the electric motor, wherein thelubrication chamber is sealed, a length of the electric motor is 7 feetor less, an outer diameter of the electric motor is 4½ inches or less,and wherein further the electric motor weighs 100 lbs or less and iscapable of providing 50 ft-lb of torque or greater.
 16. The electricmotor of claim 15, wherein the motor operates at 380 volts and 10-12amps under load, and operates with an efficiency of 85% or greater. 17.The electric motor of claim 15, wherein the plurality of windingsprovide a slot fill is 50% or greater.
 18. The electric motor of claim15, wherein the electric motor is suitable for operation at depths equalto or between 2,500 to 15,000 feet and operation in environmenttemperatures equal to or between 180 to 400° F.
 19. The electric motorof claim 15, wherein the length of the electric motor is 5 feet or less.